Careers - Work Life

Would you consider yourself a person who has a career or are you just passing through life day to day content with whatever job appeases you at that moment? I know, a little bit of an off question but I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot lately so I felt compelled to write about it some. Let’s first start with some background on what a career is and the associations with a career.

Career has two definitions that correlate to a person, well according to Webster’s Dictionary anyway. The first is, a profession that a person trains for which they take as a permanent calling. The second definition is, a field for or the pursuit of a consecutive progressive achievement in a public or professional/business setting. Basically, these definitions constitute why a person even goes to school or college for that matter; typically it’s for their career purpose. So now think about yourself; first off have you even gone to college and if not, would you have liked to in order to be able to achieve the career in life that you’ve wanted to pursue? If you have gone to college, did you go to school for the current career based job that you currently have, or are you like many American’s that end up pursuing a degree in one field and end up acquiring or retaining a job in a completely different field, than that you have tried to aspire for? Or are you comprising and trying to work the current job so that you can finish your schooling, because the end result is - that you will be acquiring that job that puts you into the industry that pertains to your career? I know it’s a lot of questions and things to think about (probably, maybe) but this is all that I’ve been pondering on lately. You might be asking yourself why, huh-well it’s because I’m going to be moving (yet again) for job purposes and I find myself literally asking, do I want to even move?…

This might sound a little snobbish or perhaps “geek” like but the fact is I was fortunate enough to have been not only exposed to my career choice but I’ve been in it since I was in High School. Sophomore year was when it all started and I was able to experience and excel in the construction industry. During high school it was structural detailing/design and at that time the “state of the art” software being used was SDS/2 but I was already knowledgeable in AutoCAD (which at that time was Stru-CAD and a few other versions I was happy to learn). Then I ventured into MEP during college, which in turn led me to what I’ve been currently doing for a while now, towards the end of my college life and thereafter. I studied a double major in Engineering and Psychology however my career path has stayed within the engineering side of things. The only thing left is a Masters Degree, well no that’s not 100% accurate either, actually the last thing would be just getting my seal…well that sounds great in theory but what will I have to show for it after that’s done…I don’t want to own my own company and I’ve already excelled to the point of being an Office Manager so I’ve already done everything I’ve wanted to for my career. So see why I’m contemplating the move? Yes there would be more opportunities I’m sure and a better possibility at a better life for my children and I but is it necessary to make yet another move? I’m at a point in my life where I have no problem working hard but it’s to enjoy my family and the time we have together, before my children grow up and start their own careers and lives…

So what do you think? What would you do? What are you doing to fulfill your career?

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman

Family History - Family Life

Family History

I see all these commercials and packages in the aisle of Walgreens or CVS that will provide you information on your blood line and the history of your ancestors…On one side of the spectrum I see that and I’m mind boggled at why this is something we can now just buy. Then there’s my fascination of how far we’ve come in modern technology/science as well as the evolving human curiosity that sparks these things you can buy to have some form of tangible conclusion, when you receive your results. So how wonderful it is that people can either find this information out and perhaps have a better understanding of their background or find out more about their past family members in general.

Although in turn this brings out my observational curiosity. What is it about the past six plus years or so that’s prompted this high rise in the fascination of someone’s lineage/family history? What’s changed in people or in society altogether to invest time and money into doing this? Why is it so important to have this information at hand? More importantly why are you resorting to these methods instead of the ole traditional method in finding out about your family tree and history? Why aren’t you asking the ones in your family that have the most information and knowledge of your family history - that’s right great grandparents (if they’re alive) and/or grandparents? With that being said (or I guess asked), I understand that’s something not always a possibility for some especially broken families or perhaps families that have disintegrated over the years or families that have just separated lives altogether. Regardless of all that, it’s really not too late to ask your own parents, grandparents, and/or great grandparents. If you haven’t done so I urge you to do it! Oh right, you’re swamped with work or so busy with the kids (believe me I can appreciate that number) or perhaps you’re workings two jobs while juggling school and barely have enough time for yourself…whatever excuse you have, the fact remains that the information is at your disposal so just either pick up the phone, drive to visit that family member or family members, or shoot get a pen and paper and write a damn letter to those older generations of wisdom who are used to written letters instead of emails. Because if you have time to swipe left/right on tinder, see what the newest video is on TikTock or whatever social media is out there, I’m pretty darn sure that you can spare the time to figure out what your family history and blood line is. 

I’ll admit that I used to be a person who didn’t care enough to ask my grandparents either, thankfully becoming a mom changed that. I actually took the time to draw out a family tree because I knew that once my daughters were older, there are going to be questions of people in pictures with them…questions about the family altogether and unfortunately many people they will have grown up with may not be here to explain it or tell them stories of the past-as I was blessed to have and perhaps on occasion even took for granted in the initial phase of adulthood. Don’t waste your time and money yet at the aisles of a convenience store, instead use that as your last resort after you’ve tried talking to your own family members. I mean what a grand thought right? To actually have a conversation with family around you - mind blowing information huh? (That was sarcasm by the way :) )

Yours Truly,

A Distinct Woman

Body Language - Books

“Body Language”

This book was a pretty good and easy read. I believe that regardless of how fast of a reader you are it’s a simple one to two week read (maybe three at max-probably also from your schedule).  Otherwise it was insightful and valuable read. Whether for personal, working, or love relationships - the information this book provides is similar to that of what you can find when you google “Body Language” but it’s enough of information condensed for the whatever your personal purposes are for reading for it. However, we don’t suggest this read if you are looking to manipulate circumstances in your relationships with others or if it’s for selfish reasons outside of just educational reads. You could use some of the information involved for unintentional reasons that may harm others. Regardless it’s a great read and recommended!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman

Spring Cleaning - General

Are you one to participate in the yearly extensive “Spring Cleaning”? If you aren’t it’s not a problem I was just curious. I actually personally do a “spring cleaning” twice a year which is right before Easter time and then again before winter hits, so probably mid November when all of the holiday decorations or elements come out. Well I was curious this year and decided to do a little research on the topic. 

Did you know that if you follow this spring cleaning tradition it’s a tradition that doesn’t just go back a couple of decades or that it’s something the older generation invented to annoy the newer-that whole phrase our mother’s used to use about making sure our rooms were clean. Apparently it’s a long lasting tradition that began taking place or at least it began being noted as “Spring Cleaning” since the 1800s. According to the Washington Post, the biggest cleaning of the year was in the spring due to the layers of dust and grime that was left behind from the winter season. However, it’s also more than that, it’s also a religious tradition that dates back to Jewish customs during Passover! 

So something we look at a mediocre or minimal is linking us to not only our past history but also to that of numerous religious cultures! You’re probably thinking how korny is this or it’s not even an important topic-but seriously how many of you actually knew that!? I sure as heck didn’t so it was some interesting random information I never realized. I know random and irrelevant but still thought to share!

Sincerely,

A Distinctive Woman

New Year’s 2021 - General

Is it just me or does this new year seem a little thrown off whack? I know it’s probably more so because of the COVID-19 still being around and conversation/news about a second strand...but that’s not what I’m referring to. Maybe it’s just me, or do any of you feel along the same lines?

So with the New Year’s there’s always the whole “New Year Resolution” theme that comes into play at the first of the year - with that trend lasting the first month and either slowly fading or faltering by the end of the month. So are you one of those individuals who ends up coming up with a New Year's resolution? Are you the type of individual who likes to follow through for your resolution or are you the portion of society that flakes out after about a month or so? I can't say I've been either one of them since for me personally, resolutions are more year round period for me so why would I wait for the beginning of the new Year to commence a change of some kind. 

Although kudos to many of you readers who make it a tradition of creating/making New Years resolutions and following through with them. With that being said and we’re towards the end of April already (yes I know my blog post is a little late), have many of you have actually kept up with your resolutions and how many of you have just fallen off the wagon? Come on be honest!

Sincerely,

A Distinctive Woman